Chapter 2: Desperate Plans

It was more than a week later though before Arya could contact Eragon. A fierce storm had blown over the ancient forest, spreading far into the east and making passage that way treacherous at best.

Eragon was seated on a low black stool in what she took to be a large cave. Saphira was curled behind him, only her head visible as she watched them.

Arya gazed at him in the mirror for a long moment before speaking, her words barely carrying above the storm that raged outside "The halfling has repeatedly shaken off her watch Eragon; we cannot safely keep her here much longer. No one can even feel her mind; it is like a void that you just pass over."

"Saphira predicts the storm will last for a month or more, I can't help wondering if Katherine didn't create it herself" Eragon muttered, his gaze trailing back to the great blue dragon as she blinked at them.

"No one has the power to create such a storm" Arya muttered too low for him to hear as Fírnen replied. We know nothing about her, it is possible.

We have to send her now, some way or another. Arya shook her head and glanced up to see Eragon watching her.

"Have you found a solution yet?"

She shook her again then glanced out into the storm "If this storm doesn't end in another week I'll take her out there myself."

Eragon made no comment and the mirror slowly cleared as the spell was released.

I leaned further against the tree as I listened to their conversation, smiling to myself but I frowned when Arya mentioned taking me out there herself. It's time to go Azura.

The dragon shifted in the shadows beside me and blinked when she found my eyes. Her thoughts were a confused jumble of images and sensations that I couldn't sort through.

I shook my head and sent her the impression of leaving, nearly forcing it on her as she tried to reject it.

When she finally consented she lowered her head and slipped back into the shadows, heading towards the clearing we had been staying in.

I watched her a moment, troubled, then turned and slipped through the trees towards Rhunön's forge.

Once I reached the forge I slowed and scanned with my mind for the smith. She was nowhere near, probably out gathering more metal, so I slipped into the forge and rummaged through the small pile of brightsteel chunks.

The metal was heavier than I had expected and it took me several moments to decide upon what pieces I could use. Once I had them I slipped them into my bag and retreated back to the shadows as the elf smith returned.

I didn't wait to see if she noticed me though, instead I slipped out of there as quick as I could and ran towards the clearing where Azura was waiting.

She raised her head as I entered the clearing but I ignored her and began to gather what few things we owned, stuffing them into the bag with the brightsteel and tying my rolled up blanket on top.

Once that was done I climbed to the top of a nearby tree and glanced down at Azura. Come on, let's fly.

Azura cocked her head and glanced back towards Ellesméra a moment before launching into the sky.

I smiled at her and spread my feathery wings, watching the elf city a moment longer before shooting myself after Azura and together we disappeared into the storm.

"There's been a theft at the forge." "Katherine and her dragon have disappeared; no one can find them in or around Ellesméra." "Several books are missing from around the city."

Arya sighed as the clamor continued, making no move to stop it. Only a day had passed since her conversation with Eragon and she couldn't help wondering if that was the cause.

Outside Fírnen shifted, his thoughts troubled. A rouge Rider is dangerous but this halfling is even more so.

I know, perhaps Angela could find her but we have no way of contacting her either. Arya replied, finally waving to one of her advisors to shut the crowd up.

Why steal the brightsteel though, does she hope to make her own sword?

From the reports she didn't steal enough to make a sword, I'm not sure what her plans are. With the crowd quiet she turned her attention back to them and asked "How many Riders do we have to track her?"

"Not counting you and if they can find her, two other Riders are in Alagaësia, one a dwarf and the other human." replied one of the elves near the back.

Arya leaned back in her seat and gazed at the ceiling for a moment. Not enough to help and they probably won't be able to find her either. Perhaps something else though… She lowered her gaze and glanced to the advisors again "Find a werecat then, go all the way to the human throne if you have to."

The elves looked startled and troubled by the order but they soon dispersed and several headed out to find the elusive werecats.